Rotherham Council is warning of the dangers of the shadow economy after illicit cigarettes and tobacco were taken off the streets.
Working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, officers from Rotherham Trading Standards seized the illegal items whilst executing warrants at three addresses across in the Ferham and Wath areas of the borough.
The raids, which were the result of undercover test purchases made and intelligence received, recovered products worth more than £24,000 on the legitimate market.
Searches revealed more than 38,000 illicit cigarettes and 155 packs of hand rolling tobacco which were seized, as well as a quantity of cash believed to be obtained through criminal activity.
The majority of the items seized were deliberately hidden in various places within the premises searched, but were very quickly uncovered by detection dogs, once again proving their worth in thwarting the efforts of unscrupulous criminals.
The products were not produced or packaged for legal sale in the UK and are likely to fail UK safety regulations that require cigarettes to self-extinguish in order to reduce the risk of house fires.
Investigations are ongoing and officers will now be working to bring formal legal action against those involved.
Rotherham Council’s assistant director for community safety and street scene, Tom Smith said: “The officers concerned with this operation should take credit for the significant impact that they are having in protecting the interests of Rotherham residents by disrupting the activities of those who chose to operate outside the law.
“As well as affecting legitimate local retailers, the sale of illegal tobacco makes it easier for children to get hold of cheap tobacco and undermines the wider government efforts to reduce smoking.
“We would urge all members of the public to report criminal activity in their neighbourhoods so we can take action to prevent it.”
Anyone who wishes to report concerns around suspect cigarettes should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards